Explosive-engine.



C. A. JOHNSON. EXPLOSIVE ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 19. 1913.

Patented Aug". 17, 1915.

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c. A. JOHNSON,

EXPLOSIVE ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED sun. 19. 1913.

Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

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CLINTON A. JOHNSON, OF CHICAGO, ENGINE 00., OF

ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB T0 JOHNSON COMPOUND GAS CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A

CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

EXPLOSIVE-ENGINE.

. Application filed September 19, 1913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLINTON A. JOHNSON, a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Explosive- Engines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to explosive engines of the four-cycle type.

One Object of the invention is to provide an improved engine in which the exploded charge is transferred to the non-working side of the piston to prevent back-pressure thereon and to lessen the power required to Operate the piston during the exhaust stroke. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved engine of this type with means for preventing back pressure during the compression-stroke of the piston.

The invention further designs to provide improved valve mechanism for controlling the passage of fluid to and from that side of the piston to'which the pitman 18 connected.

Lastly, the invention designs to provide an explosive engine of improved construction and Operation.

The invention consists of the several novel features hereinafter set forth and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings: Figure 1 a side elevation of an engine embodying the-inven tion, parts being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. A is a section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a plan. Fig. 6 is a section taken on l'ine'66' of Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is a section of the wearring between the slide-valve and the inlet port controlled thereby. I

The improved explosive engine is of the four cycle type and is shown as applied to a single cylinder engine, but it will be understood that it may be applied to multicylinder engines, if desired.

Cylinder 12 is provided with a water A shaft 1 1 is journaled in bearings 15 on a base or bracket Specification of Letters Patent.

the engine casing.

16 to which is Patented M 17, 1915. serial No. 790,605. I

secured the lower end of the cylinder, and

is formed with a crank 17. A piston 18 1s slidable in the cylinder and is connected to the crank by a pitman 19 which is pivoted, as at 20, to the piston, and as at 21 to crank 17. A spark-plug 22, which may be operated by any suitable means, as well understood in the art, serves proper time the combustible charge in the combustion chamber 12 of the cylinder above the piston. A lubricator 27 connected to the cylinder 12 supplies lubricant to the piston.

A supply port 24 is formed in the cylinder casing through which the combustible fluid is supplied to the chamber 12. A check valve 2-5, which is normally closed by a spring 26, serves to close the supply-port at all times except during the intake stroke of the piston. Port 21 is supplied with fluid through a pipe 24 which is connected to Pipe 24 may be connected to a 'carbureter of usual construction, as well understood in the art.

An exhaust port 28 is formed in the cylinder-casing and a valve 30, secured to a stem 31, controls the exhaust from the combustion chamber 12 on the working side of the piston. This valve is normally closed by a spring 32 and is opened during the exjournaled in suitable bearings in bracket 16 and is. driven by crank-shaft 14 by means of a pinion, 35 rotating with the crank-shaft and gear 36 on cam-shaft 33. Cam 33 is adapted to engage a roller 37 mounted in the lower end of rod 38 which is slidably held in guides 39 and 40. Rod 38 is adjustably connected to the lower end of valve-rod 31 by a lug 41 and nuts 12 which engage a screw thread on the upper end of rod 40. This mechanism for operating the exhaust valve 30 serves to permit the exploded charge to exhaust from the combustion chamber on the working side of the piston during the fourth cycle of the piston.

In practice it' has been found that the unequal. pressures upon'the non'working and working sides of the piston during the exto lgnite at the man 19, the oscillation of the haust stroke retard the operation of the engine and lessen the power developed thereby. For the purpose of overcoming this loss of power, provision is made for transferring the exploded charge from the working side of the piston to non-working to equalize the pressures upon its sides, and which means effects direct transferal so that the pressure will not be reduced when transferred to the nonworking side of the piston. Exhaust port 28 is connected by a pipe 45 to a duct 46 formed in the top 47 of bracket 16 which is fitted to that end of the cylinder 12 through which pitman 19 passes. This top 47 is also formed with a duct 48 for discharging the fluid in the cylinder chamber 12 on the nonworking side of the piston, to atmosphere. The inlet to, and outlet from, said chamber 12 through ducts 46 and 48, respectively, are controlled by a slide valve 50 which is fitted in a way 51 formed in the lower end or head 12 of the cylinder-casing and slides upon the top 47. A wear ring 52 is held in top-wall 47 around duct 46 to prevent the passage of fluid through duct 46 when the slide valve 50 is closed. A packing-ring 53 in ring 52 prevents leakage between ring 52 and thetop 47 in which ring 52 is held by a bolt 52. Bolt 52 permits a slight vertical play of ring 52 so that pressure against the underside of said ring will cause a snug fit between the valve and ring. Any wear of the ring will not permit any leakage because the ring will be seated against the underside of valve 50 by any pressure in duct 46.

Slide valve 50 is operated to alternately open duct 46 to' admit fluid under pressure expelled from the combustion chamber 12 by piston 18, to chamber 12 on the nonworking side of the piston, and to open duct 48 for the discharge of fluid from the said chamber by a suitable connection with pitpitman being utilized for this purpose. This operating connection between the pitman and the valve 50 comprises a ball-sleeve 54 which is held in a ball-shaped socket formed in valve 50 and a bearing plate 55 secured to the top thereof by bolts 55. Pitman 19 extends and slides through sleeve 54 and a packing-box 56 on the sleeve prevents leakage between the sleeve and the pitman. This connection constitutes a pivotal and sliding-connection between-the pitman and the valvefor operating the latter. By meansof this connection the lateral or swinging movement of the pitman is utilized to operate the valve for controlling the flow of fluid to and from the non-working side of the piston. The sliding connection between sleeve 54 and the pitman permit the latter to move longitudinally. Resultantly, when the piston is at the end of its power-stroke, exhaust valve 30 will be opened for from the working side of the piston to the the escape of fluid.

the non-working side of the piston. At such time valve 50 will keep, exhaust duct 48 closed. Thus, during the exhaust stroke the exploded charge will be transferred to the non-working side of the piston, equalize the pressures upon its sides, and overcome any back-pressure upon the non-working side of the piston during the exhaust-stroke. At of the exhaust-stroke of piston 18, valve 50 will close port 46 and uncover exhaust-port 48 to permit fluid to escape from the non-working side of the piston during the intake stroke, products of combustion to finally escape.

During the compression-stroke exhaust port 48 will be closed, and the exhaust valve 30 will be also closed. To prevent backpressure or a vacuum on the non-working side of the piston and to save the power required from sucking the air into the cylinder during this stroke, an expansion chamher and inlet, which will be operative during this stroke, are provided. A cylinder 60 is secured to the upper end of a pipe sec tion 61 which is secured in a fitting 62 which has a passage connecting with the exhaustport 28. A piston 63 is slidably fitted in this cylinder. Inlet ports in said piston andare normally closed by a check-valve 65 whi ch is slidably mounted in said piston and is'held normally closed by spring 66. The top 67 of cylinder 60 has ports 68 to admit air to the top of the cylinder. During the exhaust stroke the pressure of the products of combustion will at times exert sufiicient pressure upon the underside of piston 63 to cause it to rise in cylinder 60, and this fluid is utilized to prevent back-pressure upon the non-Working been drawn downward to the lower end of cylinder 60. In this manner'the piston will not encounter material resistance from the lack of fluid-pressure upon the non-working side during the compression-stroke.

The operation of the improved engine will be as follows: Assuming piston 18 to be and to permit the 64 are formed During the compresat the upper end of cylinder 12, it will, durwill exhaust the fluid 63. .At the end of spark plug 22 will be operated to ignite the cylinder is ntense ing its outward movement, open check valve 25 and draw a charge of combustible fluid throughsupply port 24 into the chamber 12. During this stroke of the piston, slide-valve 50 will uncover exhaust port 48 to permit fluid in chamber ll on the non-working side of the piston to escape through said duct. During the next instroke of piston 18, the charge of combustible fluid in chamber 12' will be compressed, intake valve 25 and exhaust valve 30 being closed. During this compression-stroke of piston 18, pitman 19 will uncover duct 46 and permit fluid in exhaust pipe 45 and expansion-cylinder 60 to pass to chamber 12* on the non-working side of the enginepiston and, if there is a deficiency of fluid, air will be drawn through ports 64 in piston the compression-stroke compressed charge in chamber 12 to drive the piston 18 outwardly. During the power-stroke, pitman 19 will operate slidevalve 50 to permit escape through duct 48. ceeding instroke, exhaust-valve 30 will be opened by cam 32 and the exploded charge or fluid will pass from chamber 12 through exhaust-duct 24, pipe 45 and duct 46 to the chamber 12 on the non-working side of the piston. During the exhaust-stroke, pitman 19 will operate slide-valve 50 to uncover port 46 for transferal of fluid from the working side to the non-working side of the piston the sides of the piston. In many cases this fluid is under "pressure and any excess of pressure will causethis fluid to lift piston 63 in expansion cylinder 60 and, during the succeeding compression-stroke of piston 18, p from cylinder 60 and draw piston 63 downwardly in cylinder 60. In practice it has been discovered that the products of combustion in the cylinder at the end of a power stroke arestill under some pressure and that during the succeeding or scavenging ment of the piston is resisted in some degree at least by the suction of the piston on its non-working side, which results from the rapid movement of the piston. In other words, the movement of thepiston is so rapid that the work of sucking air into the imposed upon the piston. By actual test, it has been found that considerable power is used during the scavenging stroke to drawair into the cylinder. The invention increases the efliciency of the engine causing the products of combustion, which are still under some pressure to be conducted under pressure to the non-working side of the cylinder, so that the piston has less resistance during the scavenging stroke, because the work of sucking air into the cylinder is not imposed upon the piston.

combustionproved explosive engine of fluid in chamber 12 to During the sucand thus equalize the pressure in,

and piston extending stroke, the rapidmoveshaft exte dlng In other words, the remaining'pressure in the products of combustion is conducted to and applied to the nonworking side of the piston to facilitate its movement during the scavenging stroke.

The invention thus exemplifies an imthe four-cycle type, .in which a valve for controlling the passage of fluid to and fromone side'ofthe piston is operated by a pitman extending therethrough; also one in which provision is made for equalizing. the pressure upon the working and non-working sides of the. piston during the exhaust strokes, and in which provision is made'for the supply of fluid to the non-working side of the piston during the compressionstroke; and also one in which an expansion-chamber is provided for retaining any excess of fluid accumulating during the exhaust stroke, for use in supplying fluid to the non-working side of the piston during the succeeding compression-stroke. 1

The invention is not to be understood as restricted tn .the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of. the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire'to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an explosive engine, the combination of a cylinder, a piston working in the cylinder, a crank-shaft, means at one'end of the cylinder for controlling the passage of fluid to and the exhaust from one side of the piston, and a pitman between the crankshaft and piston, extending through and operating said controlling means.

2. In an explosive engine, the combination of a cylinder, cylinder, a crank-shaft, means at one end of the cylinder, for controlling the passage of .fluid to and the exhaust from one side of the piston, a pitman-between the crank shaft through said means, and a pivotal and sliding connection between the pitman and said controlling means for operating said means.

3. In an explosive eh-gine, the-combination of a cylinder, a piston working in the cylinder, a crank-shaft, a valve slidably mounted at one end of the cylinder-for con: trolling the passage of fluid to and the exhaust from one sideof the piston, and a pitnian between the piston and the crankthrough said valve and operating 1t. I i y,

4. In an. explosive, the combination of a cylinder, a piston working in the cylinder, a crank shaft, supply and exhaust ducts for one end, of the cylinder, means at one end of the cylinder for controlling the flow of fluid through said ducts, and a pitman between the piston and the crankshaft, extending a piston working in the an exhaust port for the escape through and for operating said controlling means.

5. In an explosive engine, the combination of a cylinder, a piston working in the cylinder, a crank shaft, supply and exhaust duets for one end of the cylinder, means at one end of the cylinder for controlling the passage of fluid through said ducts, a pitman between the crank shaft and the piston and a pivotal and sliding connection between the pitman and the controlling means.

In an explosive engine, the combination of a cylinder, a piston working in the cylinder, a crank shaft, means at one end of the cylinder for controlling the passage of fluid to and the exhaust from one side of the piston, a pitman between the crank shaft and piston and a ball and socket hearing between the pitman and the controlling means, through which the pitman slides.

n an explosive engine, the combination of a cylinder, a piston working in the cylinder, a crank-shaft, means slidably mounted at one end of the cylinder for controlling the passage of fluid to and the ex haust from one between the piston and the crank-shaft, and a ball and socket bearing between the pitman and the controlling means.

8. In an explosive engine, the combination of a cylinder, a piston working in the cylinder, a crank-shaft, supply and exhaust ducts from one end of the cylinder, means slidably mounted and exten ing across one end of the cylinder for controlling the flow of fluid through said ducts, and a pitman between the piston and the crank-shaft, excontrolling means and operating it.

9. In an explosive engine, the combination of a cylinder, a'piston working in the cylinder, a crank-shaft, means at one end of the cylinder for controlling the passage of fluid thereto and therefrom, a pitman between the crank shaft and the piston, a pivotal and sliding connection between the pitman and the controlling means, and packing means between the piston and said connection.

In an explosive engine, the combination of a cylinder, a piston working in the cylinder, a crank-shaft, means at one end of the cylinder for controlling the passage of fluid to and the exhaust from one side of the piston, a pitman between the crank shaft and piston, a ball andsocket connection between the pitman and said controlling means, through which the pitman slides, and packingmeans between the pitman and said connection.

In an explosive engine, the combina tion of a cylinder. a piston working in the cylinder, a crank-shaft, a supply duct for delivering fluid to one end of the cylinder of fluid from cylinder, said ducts being oppositely disposed, a valve formed to alternately open and close both of said ducts, and a pitman between the crank-shaft and the piston,extending through and operating said valve.

12. In an explosive engine, the combination of a cylinder, a piston working in said the cylinder extending beyond both sides of the piston, means for supp y supplied, means forsaid exhaust passage the piston, a crank shaft, the piston and the crank operated means at one for controlling the flow of fluid from the said conducting means to and the exhaust from the non-Working side of the piston;

13. In an explosive engine, the combination of a cylinder, a piston working in said cylinder, the cylinder extending from both sides of the piston, means for supplying combustible fluid to the cylinder at one side conducting fluid from to the other side of a pitman between shaft, and pitman end of the cylinder a pitman between the piston and the crank shaft, and means for controlling the flow of fluid from said conducting means to and the exhaust from the n0n-working side of the piston. said pitman extending through and operating said controlling means.

I11 an explosive engine, the combination of a cylin cylinder, the cylinder extending from both sides of the piston, means for supplying combustible fluid to the cylinder atone side of the piston, an exhaust valve for fluid on from said passage piston, a crank shaft, a piston and the crank shaft, means slidably mounted at one endof said cylinder for controlling the flow of fluid from the conducting means to and the exhaust from the nonworking side of the piston, and a pivotal andsliding connection between the pitman and the controlling means.

15. ii an explosive'engine, the combination of a cylinder, a piston working in said cylinder, the cylinder extending from both sides of der, a piston working in said the piston, a crank shaft, a pitman between the piston and the crank shaft, an exhaust port leading from the cylinder at the non working side of the piston, and a pitmanoperated valve at one end of the cylinder for controlling the flow of fluid from the said conducting means to the non-working side of the piston, side.

16. In an explosive engine, the combination of a cylinder, a piston working in said cylinder, the cylinder extending from both sides. of the piston, means for supplying combustible fluid to the cylinder at one side of the piston, an exhaust valve for fluid on the side of the piston to which combustible fluid is supplied, means from said exhaust valve to the. other side of the piston, a crank shaft, a pitman between the piston and the 'crank shaft, an exhaust port leading from the non-working side'of the piston, trolling the flow of fluid from'said conducting means to the non-working side of the piston and the exhaust from said side, said pitman extending through said valve and and the exhaust from said operating 1t.

17. In an'explosive engine, the combination of a cylinder, a piston working in said cylinder, the cylindervextending from both sides of the piston, means for supplying combustible. fluid-to the cylinder at -one side of the piston, an exhaust valve for fluid on the side of the piston to which combustible fluid is supplied, means for conducting fluid from said valve to the other side of the piston, a crank shaft, a pitman between the" piston and the crank shaft, an exhaust port leading from the non-working side of the piston,-a valve slidably mounted at one side of said cylinder r'or controlling the flow of fluid from the conducting means to the nonand the exhaust from said side, and a pivotal and sliding connection between the pitman and the valve for operating said valve.

the combination of a cylinder, a piston working in said cylinder, the cylinder extending from both sides of the piston, means for supplying 18-. 'In an-explosive engine,

combustible fluid to. the cylinder at one sideof the piston, an exhaust valve forfluid on the working side of the piston, means for conducting fluid from said exhaust valve to the non-working side of the piston and an expansion-chamber connected to receive fluid from said exhaust valve. v y

19. In an explosive engine, the combina tion of a cylinder, a piston working in said cylinder, the cylinder extending from ooth sides of the piston, means for supplying combustible fluid to the cylinder at one side of the piston, an exhaust valve for fluid on the working side of the piston, means for for conducting fluid and a valve for con-v ducting fluid 'mitting air cylinder, the cylinder extending from combustible conducting fluid from said exhaust valve to the non-working side of the piston, an expansion-chamber connected to receive fluid from said exhaust valve and a piston in said expansion-chamber.

20. In an explosive engine, the combination of a cylinder, a piston working in said cylinder, the cylinder extending from both sides of the piston, means for supplying combustible fluid to the cylinder at one side of the piston, an exhaust valve for fluid on the working side of the piston, means for conducting fluid from said exhaust valve to the non-working side of the piston, and a check valve for admitting air to the nonworking side of the piston during the compression stroke.

21.- In an explosive engine, the combination of a cylinder, a piston working in said cylinder, the cylinder extending from both sides of the piston, means for supplying combustible fluid to the cylinder at one side of the piston, an exhaust valve for fluid on the working side of the piston, means for conducting fluid from said exhaust valve to the non-working side of the piston, and means having an expansion chamber therein connected to receive fluid from said exhaust valve, and a check-valve for admitting air to the non-working side of the piston during the compression stroke.

22. In an explosive engine, the combination of a cylinder, a piston working in said cylinder, the cylinder extending from both sides of the piston, means for supplying combustible fluid to the cylinder at one side of the piston, an exhaust passage for confrom the working side of the piston, and means for conducting fluid from said exhaust passage to the non-working side of the piston,'an expansion cylinder connected toreceive fluid from said exhaust valve,

a piston in said cylinder, and means for adto the non-working side of the piston during the compression stroke.

23. In an explosive engine. the combina- 1 tion of a cylinder, a piston working in saic both means for supplying fluid to the cylinder at one side of the piston, an exhaust valve for fluid on the working side of the piston, means for conducting fluid from said exhaust passage to the non-working side of the piston, an expansion-chamber, a piston in said expan sion-chamber, and a check valve on said sides of the piston,

piston for admitting air to the non-workalve for fluid on her connected to receive fluid from said ex- 5 valve for controlling said conducting-mean side of the piston, an

passage of fluid from s to the non-working d an expansion-cham- CLINTON A. JOHNSON.

Witnesses FRED GERLAQH, MILDRED STUMPF. 

